Guide pin for dental implant surgery

ABSTRACT

Provided is a guide pin for dental implant surgery, providing guidance so that a practitioner easily determines a location and angle of an alveolar bone of a patient when forming an implant hole in the alveolar bone to place an implant in the alveolar bone. By using the guide pin for dental implant surgery according to the inventive concept, a practitioner may perform the surgery by determining an accurate location and shape of the alveolar bone of the patient when drilling an implant hole in the alveolar bone, and thus, the success rate of the implant surgery may be increased.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of the international PCTapplication serial no. PCT/KR2017/001942, filed on Feb. 22, 2017, whichclaims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0032135, filed on Mar. 17, 2016 and Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2016-0112921, filed on Sep. 2, 2016, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The inventive concept relates to a guide pin for dental implant surgery,and more particularly, to a guide pin for dental implant surgery,providing guidance so that a practitioner easily determines a locationand angle of an alveolar bone of a patient when forming an implant holein the alveolar bone to place an implant in the alveolar bone.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a dental implant consists of a fixture, an abutment, and acrown.

The fixture includes a male screw portion to be inserted into thealveolar of a person to support and fix the dental implant overall.

The abutment is mounted to be coupled to an upper portion of the fixtureand exposed above the gum.

The crown is a type of prosthesis replacing a natural tooth, and isformed to fit with the abutment to be adhered and fixed to the abutment.

When carrying out an implant surgery as described above, first, animplant hole is formed to insert a fixture into the alveolar bone. Toform an implant hole, first, the shape of the alveolar bone isdetermined based on an image of a site where the implant hole is to beformed, captured by using X-ray or computerized tomography (CT). A planis set to form an implant hole based on the shape of the alveolar bonedetermined through X-ray or CT, and then the practitioner drills a hole(implant hole) into the alveolar bone of the patient by using a drillaccording to the plan. During the process in which the practitionerdrills an implant hole into the alveolar bone of the patient, it isimpossible or highly difficult to check an X-ray or CT image in realtime. Moreover, as the alveolar bone is covered by the gum, even whenthe practitioner is cognizant of the shape of the alveolar bone, it isvery difficult to form an implant hole at an accurate location and in anaccurate direction by considering a three-dimensional shape and locationof the alveolar bone in a real surgery. If the initial direction orlocation of the formed implant hole is incorrect, an implant hole mayhave to be drilled again, or if the implant hole is too large, theimplant surgery may have to be performed after filling the alveolar bonewith a dental cement. This delays the time for restoration of thepatient and increases discomfort for the patient.

SUMMARY

Provided is a guide pin for dental implant surgery, providing guidanceto enable a practitioner to determine the shape (location and direction)of the alveolar bone of a patient also while forming an implant hole inthe alveolar bone by using a drill.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a guide pin for dental implantsurgery includes: an insertion portion extending in a length directionso as to be poked and inserted between an alveolar bone and the gum; anda guide portion configured to be coupled to the insertion portion to beextended in the length direction so as to guide an inclination of thealveolar bone by being exposed outside the gum when the insertionportion is inserted between the alveolar bone and the gum, the guideportion comprising a bone contact portion that is closely contacted tothe alveolar bone in a direction facing the alveolar bone and aperiosteal contact portion that is convexly formed in a direction facinga periosteum of the gum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guide pin for dental implant surgeryaccording to a first example embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the guide pin for dental implant surgeryillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin for dental implantsurgery illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line III-Ill;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the guide pin for dental implantsurgery illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along line IV-IV;

FIG. 5 illustrates how the guide pin for dental implant surgeryillustrated in FIG. 1 is used;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a guide pin for dental implant surgeryaccording to a second example embodiment of the inventive concept; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a guide pin for dental implant surgeryaccording to a third example embodiment of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A guide pin for dental implant surgery according to the inventiveconcept will now be described more fully with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guide pin 100 for dental implantsurgery according to a first example embodiment of the inventiveconcept. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the guide pin 100 for dental implantsurgery illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide pin 100 for dental implant surgeryaccording to the first example embodiment of the inventive conceptincludes an insertion portion 130, a guide portion 110, and a supportportion 120.

The guide portion 110 is formed in a rod shape extending in a lengthdirection. The guide portion 110 is formed in a form that a practitionermay easily grasp using the finger or an additional tool. The guideportion 110 according to the present example embodiment has acylindrical shape having a plurality of ring-shaped grooves formed on anouter circumference thereof.

The insertion portion 130 is coupled to a lower portion of the guideportion 110. The insertion portion 130 extends in a length direction soas to be poked and inserted between an alveolar bone 1 and a gum 2. Whenthe insertion portion 130 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1 andthe gum 2, the guide portion 110 is exposed outside, thereby guiding aninclination of the alveolar bone 1.

The insertion portion 130 includes a bone contact portion 131, aperiosteal contact portion 132, and a curved portion 133.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the bone contact portion 131 has a planarshape so as to be closely contacted to the alveolar bone 1 in adirection facing the alveolar bone 1. According to circumstances, thebone contact portion 131 may be formed concavely so as to correspond tothe shape of an outer surface of the alveolar bone 1. A portion of thebone contact portion 131 facing the alveolar bone 1 may have a lowsurface roughness so that the portion is slid in close contact with thealveolar bone 1 when the insertion portion 130 is inserted between thealveolar bone 1 and the gum 2.

The periosteal contact portion 132 is formed on a surface of theinsertion portion 130 opposite to the bone contact portion 131. Theperiosteal contact portion 132 is formed convexly with respect to adirection facing the periosteum 3 of the gum 2. Referring to FIGS. 2 and3, a protruding ridge 1321 of the periosteal contact portion 132 isformed to extend along an extension direction of the insertion portion130. Here, the ridge 1321 is defined as a line connecting portions ofthe periosteal contacting portion 132 protruding at the highest heights.In the present example embodiment, the periosteal contacting portion 132is convexly formed so that the ridge 1321 of the periosteal contactingportion 132 is formed along the extension direction of the insertionportion 130. Referring to FIG. 4, the periosteal contact portion 132 hasa convex cross-sectional shape.

The periosteal contact portion 132 pushes the periosteum 3 and the gum 2outwardly when the insertion portion 130 is inserted between thealveolar bone 1 and the periosteum 3 of the gum 2, thereby forming anentry path of the insertion unit 130. While the insertion portion 130 isinserted, the periosteal contact portion 132 is pressed and fixed by arestoring force of the gum 2 that has been pushed outwardly and tends toreturn to its original state. As both sides of the periosteal contactportion 132 having a convex shape, with respect to the ridge 1321, arepressed by the gum 2 based on the ridge 1321 of the periosteal contactportion 132 having a convex shape, shaking of the insertion portion 130to the left and right may be prevented.

A plurality of protrusions 1322 may be formed on a portion of theperiosteal contact portion 132. The protrusions 1322 may be formed byportions of the periosteal contact portion 132 to have a relatively highsurface roughness than other portions. According to circumstances, theprotrusions 1322 may be formed using an anodizing method. Referring toFIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the plurality of protrusions 1322 are formed from ahalf point to a two thirds point from an upper portion of the periostealcontact portion 132 in a downward direction. The plurality ofprotrusions 1322 formed on the portion of the periosteal contact portion132 except a lower portion of the periosteal contact portion 132 mayprevent the insertion portion 130 from shaking while the insertionportion 130 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1 and the periosteum3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the curved portion 133 is disposed at an endportion of the insertion portion 130. When the practitioner pushes theinsertion portion 130 between the alveolar bone 1 and the gum 2 whileholding the guide portion 110 with a hand or by using a tool such asforceps, the curved portion 133 separates the alveolar bone 1 and thegum 2. The curved portion 133 has a sharply curved shape bending at theend portion of the insertion portion 130 toward the bone contact portion131. Due to the bent shape of the curved portion 133, the curved portion133 helps the end portion of the insertion portion 130 maintain contactwith the alveolar bone 1 when the insertion portion 130 is insertedbetween the alveolar bone 1 and the periosteum 3. The curved portion 133having the above structure performs the function of accuratelyseparating the alveolar bone 1 and the periosteum 3 of the gum 2. Thecurved portion 133 bent toward the bone contact portion 131 as describedabove guides an entry direction of the insertion portion 130 to face thealveolar bone 1 to thereby prevent the insertion portion 130 from pokingthe periosteum 3 or the gum 2.

The support portion 120 is formed to protrude in a connection portionbetween the insertion portion 130 and the guide portion 110. In thepresent example embodiment, the support portion 120 is formed toprotrude in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of theinsertion portion 130 and the guide portion 110.

Hereinafter, the use and operation of the guide pin 100 for dentalimplant surgery according to the first example embodiment configured asdescribed above will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, the practitioner holds the guide portion 110 by using the fingersor another tool. Next, the practitioner places the bone contact portion131 of the insertion portion 130 to face the alveolar bone 1, and thenlocates an end of the curved portion 133 in a site where an implant holeis to be formed, and between the alveolar bone 1 and the gum 2.

In this state, the practitioner pushes the guide portion 110 downward tostick the curved portion 133 of the insertion portion 130 between thealveolar bone 1 and the gum 2 to be in a state as illustrated in FIG. 5.The insertion portion 130 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1 andthe gum 2, and the support portion 120 is closely contacted to a surfaceof an upper end of the gum 2.

Here, the curved portion 133 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1 andthe gum 2 while separating the alveolar bone 1 and the gum 2 from eachother. As the curved portion 133 is bent toward the bone contact portion131, the practitioner may effectively insert the curved portion 133 bysensing the curved portion 133 maintaining a contact state with thealveolar bone 1, through the guide portion 110.

When the insertion portion 130 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1and the gum 2, the bone contact portion 131 contacts the alveolar bone 1and the periosteal contact portion 132 contacts the periosteum 3 of thegum 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The protruding ridge 1321 of theperiosteal contact portion 132 performs the functions of widening a gapwith respect to the gum 2 to provide an entry path of the insertionportion 130 and holding the insertion portion 130 to prevent shaking ofthe insertion portion 130 to the left and right.

While the insertion portion 130 is inserted between the alveolar bone 1and the gum 2 as described above, the guide portion 110 is in aprotruded state according to the inclination of the alveolar bone 1 nearthe site where an implant hole is to be formed.

The practitioner may determine the shape and inclination of the alveolarbone 1 covered by the gum based on the location and the inclination ofthe guide portion 110 as described above, without using an image such asa computerized tomography (CT) image or an X-ray image. The practitionermay form an implant hole at an accurate location and in an accuratedirection by referring to the location and direction of the guideportion 110 exposed to the outside.

According to circumstances, two guide pins 100 for dental implantsurgery may be inserted into each of an inner portion and an outerportion of the alveolar bone 1. By using two guide pins 100 for dentalimplant surgery, a distance between the inner and outer portions of thealveolar bone 1 and the inclination of the inner and outer portions ofthe alveolar bone 1 may be determined effectively. By using this method,an implant hole may be formed in a more accurate location and direction.

When an implant hole is formed by using the guide pin 100 for dentalimplant surgery according to the inventive concept, the surgery may beperformed by determining the shape of the alveolar bone 1 firsthand withthe unaided eye during the surgery. According to this method, an implanthole may be formed with a remarkably higher accuracy than in the relatedart. As a result, the success rate of the dental implant surgery may beenhanced according to the inventive concept.

While the guide pin 100 for dental implant surgery according to theinventive concept has been described with reference to the first exampleembodiment above, the scope of the inventive concept is not limited tothe example embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings.

For example, a guide pin for dental implant surgery in which anindication line is marked on an outer surface of a guide portion mayalso be formed. By forming an indication line in parallel to anextension direction of the guide portion, the practitioner may betterdetermine a degree of an inclination of the guide portion and refer tothe degree of the inclination of the guide portion during the surgery.The indication line may be engraved or embossed in the guide portion orprinted in a contrast color of that of the guide portion.

In addition, the structure and number of a support portion may bemodified in various manners. A guide pin for dental implant surgery thatincludes only one support portion may also be formed.

In addition, the structures of the bone contact portion 131, theperiosteal contact portion 132, and the curved portion 133 of theinsertion portion 130 may be modified in other various forms differentfrom those described above, and an insertion portion without the curvedportion 133 may also be formed.

In addition, while the guide pin 100 for dental implant surgery of thefirst example embodiment described above, in which the insertion portion130 and the guide portion 110 are connected linearly, is illustrated,according to circumstances, a guide portion may be bent at an angle ofabout 3° to about 15° with respect to an insertion portion to be coupledto the insertion portion as illustrated in FIG. 6.

In addition, while the plurality of protrusions 1322 formed on a portionof the periosteal contact portion 132 are described above, a guide pinfor dental implant surgery including a periosteal contact portionwithout the protrusions 1322 may also be configured.

FIG. 6 illustrates a guide pin for dental implant surgery according to asecond example embodiment of the inventive concept.

A guide portion 210 according to the second example embodiment isdifferent from the guide portion 110 of the first example embodiment inthat the guide portion 210 is bent at a predetermined angle d withrespect to an insertion portion 230 to be coupled to the insertionportion 230. In the second example embodiment, the guide portion 210 maybe coupled to the insertion portion 230 preferably at an angle d ofabout 3° to about 15°.

When the guide portion 210 is bent toward the insertion portion 230 atan angle of about 3° to about 15°, even when the insertion portion 230is inclined according to the inclination of the alveolar bone, the guideportion 210 may be in parallel to a direction in which an implant holeis formed or at a similar angle to that direction. In this case, thepractitioner may easily determine the direction that the implant hole isformed, and moreover, the effect of preventing the guide portion 210from interfering with a path of a drill used to form the implant holemay be obtained.

Next, a guide pin 300 for dental implant surgery according to a thirdexample embodiment of the inventive concept will be described withreference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the guide pin 300 fordental implant surgery according to the third example embodiment of theinventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 7, the guide pin 300 for dental implant surgeryaccording to the third example embodiment includes a guide portion 310,a support portion 320, and a pair of insertion portions 330.

Two fixing grooves 334 extending in a length direction of the insertionportions 330 are formed in a periosteal contact portion 332 of theinsertion portions 330.

As a portion of the gum 2 is inserted into the fixing grooves 334 eachformed on both sides of a ridge of the periosteal contact portion 332,shaking of the insertion portions 330 may be prevented more effectively.

An auxiliary insertion portion 340 is formed in the support portion 320to protrude in a direction parallel to an extension direction of theinsertion portions 330. The auxiliary insertion portion 340 is insertedbetween the alveolar bone 1 and the gum 2 when the insertion portions330 are inserted between the alveolar bone 1 and the gum 2 to preventshaking of the guide portion 310.

While the insertion portions 330 are inserted into the patient's gum 2,the support portion 320 is caught by an upper end of an interfacebetween the tooth and the gum 2 to be supported by the gum 2, and theauxiliary support portion 340 supports the support portion 320 againagainst the gum 2, thereby preventing shaking of the guide portion 310.

By using the guide pin for dental implant surgery according to theinventive concept, a practitioner may perform the surgery by determiningan accurate location and shape of the alveolar bone of the patient whendrilling an implant hole in the alveolar bone, and thus, the successrate of the implant surgery may be increased.

What is claimed is:
 1. A guide pin for dental implant surgerycomprising: an insertion portion extending in a length direction so asto be poked and inserted between an alveolar bone and a gum; and a guideportion configured to be coupled to the insertion portion to be extendedin the length direction so as to guide an inclination of the alveolarbone by being exposed outside the gum when the insertion portion isinserted between the alveolar bone and the gum, the guide portioncomprising a bone contact portion that is closely contacted to thealveolar bone in a direction facing the alveolar bone and a periostealcontact portion that is convexly formed in a direction facing aperiosteum of the gum.
 2. The guide pin for dental implant surgery ofclaim 1, further comprising a support portion protruding in a connectionportion between the insertion portion and the guide portion.
 3. Theguide pin for dental implant surgery of claim 1, wherein the insertionportion further comprises a curved portion that is bent at an endportion of the insertion portion toward the bone contact portion so thatthe insertion portion is inserted between the alveolar bone and the gumby separating the alveolar bone and the gum.
 4. The guide pin for dentalimplant surgery of claim 1, wherein a ridge protruding from theperiosteal contact portion of the insertion portion extends along anextension direction of the insertion portion.
 5. The guide pin fordental implant surgery of claim 4, wherein a plurality of protrusionsare formed on at least a portion of the periosteal contact portion ofthe insertion portion.
 6. The guide pin for dental implant surgery ofclaim 1, wherein the guide portion has a polygonal cross-section orincludes a concave-convex portion surrounding an outer circumference ofthe guide portion so that the guide portion is easy to grasp.
 7. Theguide pin for dental implant surgery of claim 1, wherein the guideportion is bent at an angle of about 3° to about 15° with respect to theinsertion portion to be coupled to the insertion portion.
 8. The guidepin for dental implant surgery of claim 1, wherein at least one fixinggroove extending in the length direction is formed in the insertionportion.
 9. The guide pin for dental implant surgery of claim 2, furthercomprising an auxiliary insertion portion protruding from the supportportion in a direction parallel to the insertion portion so as toprevent shaking of the guide portion that is inserted between thealveolar bone and the gum.